The battle for best first dance song
Spotify has Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect” listed as number three on their list of top wedding songs. Bruno Mars’ “Marry You” comes in at number two, and Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud” comes in at number one.
Since we’ve already written about “Thinking Out Loud,” let’s focus on the other two songs.
“Marry You”
Mars co-wrote and recorded “Marry You” in 2010 on his debut album, “Doo-Wops & Hooligans.” Despite the fact that the song wasn’t released as a single, it was still certified platinum three times by Music Canada and two times by the Australian Recording Industry Association.
What a hit! Take a listen …
This video has some 8.7 MILLION views, big time numbers! The fusion of doo-wop and soul elements creates a unique throwback sound that is very danceable.
“Perfect”
Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect” was a number one hit in 2017 from his third studio album, “Divide.” In contrast to “Marry You,” “Perfect” is a romantic ballad.
It, too, was and is a big hit. Take a listen …
Over 2 BILLION (that’s with a B!) people have viewed this video!
Let’s face it, people react to the music first. If you want a fast dance for your first dance song, you’ll lean towards Bruno Mars’ “Marry You.” If you want a nice, slow song dripping with enchantment, you’ll lean towards Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect.”
When it comes to wedding songs, the lyrics are just as important as the melody line and the beat, and in that department, “Marry You” comes up short.
Sample the lyrics
It starts by saying getting married is a dumb thing to do:
“It’s a beautiful night, we’re looking for something dumb to do
Hey baby, I think I wanna marry you
Is it the look in your eyes, or is it this dancing juice
Who cares baby, I think I wanna marry you.”
I’m sure Mr. Mars and his writing team were attempting to be cutesy and poetic. But in light of the fact that married people live longer, healthier, more prosperous lives and that their children fare better than kids raised in unmarried households, the lyrics aren’t all that good a fit for a wedding song.
The lyrics crash and burn when the whole marriage notion is apparently fueled by a guy who is sloshed on tequila:
“Who cares if we’re trashed
Got a pocket full of cash we can blow
Shots of Patron
And it’s on girl.”
Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect” actually talks about love (a word that doesn’t appear in Mars’ song):
“I found a love for me
Darling just dive right in
And follow my lead
Well I found a girl beautiful and sweet
I never knew you were the someone waiting for me
‘Cause we were just kids when we fell in love.”
Words matter, especially at a wedding celebration. That’s why you spend so much time burnishing your wedding vows.
Consider song lyrics just as carefully when you select your first dance song. In the battle for first dance songs, you have some extraordinary options. We offer great planning forms and a music database for clients to find the perfect song for your first dance.